New Delhi, Mar 10: The crash of Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft has claimed lives of four Indians including a consultant to Environment Ministry, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here on Sunday.

Following may be contacted in Embassy of India, Addis Ababa for any assistance by families of Indian nationals who have died in ET302 crash on 10.03.2019: (1) Mr. V Suresh, Second Secretary (Consular) Mobile: +251 911506852(2) Mr. Mohan Lal, Head of Chancery, Mob.+251 911506851

She also asked the Embassy to help her contact the families of the deceased. In another missive, Ms Swaraj said - her ministerial colleague Dr Harshvardhan has confirmed that Ms Shikha Garg is a "Consultant with Ministry of Environment and Forests".

"She was traveling to attend UNEP meeting in Nairobi. I am trying to reach the families of other Indian nationals," the External Affairs Minister said. "I am sorry to know about the unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines plane ET 302. We have lost four Indian nationals in the air crash. I have asked Indian High Commissioner in Ethiopia to provide all help and assistance to the bereaved families," Ms Swaraj said.

"Our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines passenger aircraft today," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted. "Our Mission in Addis Ababa is in touch with the airlines & local authorities," the MEA spokesman said.

According to media reports, Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed Sunday morning shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. The plane had 149 passengers and eight crew members on board, the airline said. There were no survivors.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it will send a team to help with the investigation. The plane was carrying passengers from more than 30 countries, media reports said.

In a tweet, Union Science and Environment Minister Harshvardhan said - "My condolences to the families of four Indian nationals who have died in an unfortunate crash of Ethiopian Airlines. Sadly,a UNDP consultant attached to my ministry Ms Shikha Garg also died in the crash. My prayers for the departed souls". UNI